So we finally see Gina visiting people she is familiar with - her old babysitter, who seems to know a thing or two about Gina’s family. Some people have pointed this out in the forums, but “chotti bahan” translates to “little sister” in hindi. This is a time when my cultural background got ahead of me - in Indian culture, there is usually a great familiarity between people and a strong regard for family (whether related by blood or not). It’s not uncommon for people to use terms of endearment such as “chotti bahan” for people outside their blood-related family. Calling your unrelated elders “auntie” or “uncle” is extremely commonplace.
What I’m getting at is that this knowledge is a back-of-the-hand sort of thing. It didn’t occur to me that people might think that Gina and Shivani are related, but for the record, they’re not.
Anyway, I hope you guys liked it. For some reason, I’m somewhat attached to this comic (and the next comic - you’ll see).
This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 26th, 2006 at 11:35 pm and is filed under Rant. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
That actually makes a lot of sense… my friend refers to her cousins in the same manner, so I get confused sometimes.
Can’t wait to see what you’re up to with this issue and the next, though!
Not that it really matters… but is this West Hartford Connecticut or Vermont?
Connecticut. :) I didn’t realize there was a like place in Vermont …
Ananth, whats your’s & Hawk’s connection with WeHa?
WeHa?
Ohhh, West Hartford - our friend Brian Carroll of Instant Classic Dot Net hails from West Hartford. We do a convention there every year, or close by.
It’s common knowledge that good ol’ WeHa is one of the ten best places in the entire world. I’ll fight anyone here punch-for-punch.
I didn’t actually know what “chotti bahan” meant (I figured it was just some sort of pet name) so it’s cool to get the translation and background of it. I think you guys did a great job creating a truly sincere and touching reunion here.
I’ve been a huge Apple Geeks fan for a while now, but since you guys have started the Exodus phase of the comic I find each update has become something I look forward to more than with any other webcomic. Great work guys!
East Asian cultures too
The writing and artwork are both absolutely lovely in this one. Chills, I tell you, chills. :)
This is pretty normal in Asian in general (at the very least, China, Korea, and Japan). I call all of my older cousins and some Korean friends ‘hyungah’ (male term for older brother) or ‘noonah’ (male term for older sister) all the time. My Japanese and Chinese friends do the same to their relatives/friends, too. :D
POCKYYYYY hey man. :)
…Pocky!
(
err, that was supposed to say, (weird how I’ve started running into people I know all over the place since finding Slackers…)
India rulz! So does Microsoft!
Thus a combination between India and Microsoft would be AN UNSTOPPABLE FORCE!!!
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
The Gina comics have been amazing, but this is my favourite so far. I love how you made her look more childish in the third panel.
I’m really digging this new style.
I just thought I’d say the thing about family names isn’t all that uncommon for, y’know, white bread folks. ; ) I’m from Kentucky, and my not-a-relation neighbor is my “uncle.” Er, the rest of my neigbors are actually related to me.
I think this sort of family inclusion occurs almost anywhere you form a tight bond to someone non-related, and thus isn’t attached to any specific culture.
I’m in a rock band and I consider the other guys in there with me my brothers. Our drummer’s daughter knows me as Uncle Ryan.
Good words. Great invocation of feeling.
Adding something from a culture most of us dont understand just makes the story even better! Kinda adds a “replay” value if someone goes back to read it again and notices what they missed.
Very cool, Ananth.
FYI There is an apple store at West Farms mall if you need more drama for Gina.
Or will she bump into people at New Haven next?
(Went to school at Uha.)
Honestly, referring to close family friends as aunt and uncle isn’t nessecarily an Indian thing (or even Asiatic, going by Pocky’s post). For many years, in my youth, there was a family friend named Caleb, who I referred to as “Uncle Caleb”. He was, in no way related to me, but he was still “Uncle Caleb”.
I won’t speak for calling people your brother or sister, since I’ve not seen it in American culter (other than referring to close friends as “bros”).
Actually, some of my friends and I refer to each other as ’sis’ or ‘brother’ so I totally see where all this is coming from. (we’re all American, we just seam to click on a level that’s slightly deeper than regular friendship)
I’m always calling my friends brothers and sisters. Perhaps it’s more of a unique position from a caucasian from the mountains of Colorado. It may have helped that my father was a practising catholic priest for 20 years, and then worked in a correctional facility…
I always dig the multicultural infusion. Great work Ananth! Thank you for sharing the comic with us!
Uh, some of you might have misunderstood things. Anath never said this was some kind of exclusive Indian tradition, he said that it was “extremely commonplace.” which it is not really around the whole world. But of course, it happens in other places as well, undoubtedly.
Glad to see some “indianism” in the comic lol. Been a fan of AG for a long time, keep it up guys!
Thanks for the explanation. My father is German, and a couple that are family friends are called Aunt and Uncle, even though they are not even close to being blood related. I have those I call brother and sister because of the close relationships we have. So it is a fairly common cultural phenomenon.
Oh yeah, and I love seeing more of Gina. I got Hawk to sketch her at Comic-Con.
Its not so disimilar in U.S. culture to you know…. “oh hey Bro, what’s up?”
and who can forget “Bro-ham”
Jeez, I never thought West Hartford would be in a popular webcomic.
West Hartford owns, son! Best know that!
wow,you just cant write this kinda stuff
oh,wait…
YOU DO!!!
whens the next one comin?
It’s awesome you guys include your native culture, whether purposefully or unintentionally, into your comics. It gives them a uniqueness that is really hard to find in mainstream webcomics.
Heard about you guys from the folks at Penny-Arcade, been reading ever since. Great work, keep it flowin!
I agree very cool. The more we know about each other the better we can get along and avoid problems.
For the record I have about five “Mothers”, including my biological one, Three “Dads”, including him that gave me life, Four “Grandfathers”, about a dozen “Grandmothers”, about a dozen big and little “Sisters”, and about seven “Brothers”, including one by blood. They are all family. I treat them that way. I will take things from family that I would never take from anyone else out on the street. And don’t let someone else mess with my family.
Sorry, random question, but what’s the pronunciation for chotti bahan?
Tchai(or however you spell it) is the best. I spent 6 years all in all living in India (don’t speak a word of hingi though), so I’ve also got found and pleasent memories connected with that “wierd Indian tea”.
I must agree with you, Ananth. From all the comics this one has a really nice feel on it, or as you said attraction. Can’t wait to see the next episodes.
By the way, Apple geeks and you guys so rock …
Greetings
Corrections for my earlier comment. I cant speak a word of HINDI.
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